Shock wave applicator with variable penetration depth

Abstract

An extracorporeal pressure shock wave device includes a hinge providing a pivotable axis about which a shock wave applicator rotates to provide for adjusting the depth within a targeted body that a shock wave focal volume is produced from the applicator.

What we claim is: 
     
         1 . An extracorporeal pressure shock wave device for adjusting the depth of a focal volume within a targeted body comprising:
 a shock wave applicator including a pressure shock wave generator configured to produce focused shock waves;   a hinge coupled to the applicator and providing an axis about which the shock wave applicator rotates; and   a chamber including bellows coupled to the shock wave applicator by an external frame.   
     
     
         2 . The extracorporeal pressure shock wave device of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber includes an enclosed volume of fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The extracorporeal pressure shock wave device of  claim 2  further comprising a cushion or gel pad coupled beneath the chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The extracorporeal pressure shock wave device of  claim 3  wherein the axis about which the applicator rotates is height-adjustable. 
     
     
         5 . The extracorporeal pressure shock wave device of  claim 4  wherein the hinge is coupled to a vertical portion of the external frame. 
     
     
         6 . The extracorporeal pressure shock wave device of  claim 2  wherein the axis about which the applicator rotates is height-adjustable. 
     
     
         7 . The extracorporeal pressure shock wave device of  claim 6  wherein the hinge is coupled to a vertical portion of the external frame. 
     
     
         8 . The extracorporeal pressure shock wave device of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is sealed and is configured to provide suction from the chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The extracorporeal pressure shock wave device of  claim 8  further comprising a cushion or gel pad coupled beneath the chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The extracorporeal pressure shock wave device of  claim 9  wherein the axis about which the applicator rotates is height-adjustable. 
     
     
         11 . The extracorporeal pressure shock wave device of  claim 19  wherein the hinge is coupled to a vertical portion of the external frame. 
     
     
         12 . The extracorporeal pressure shock wave device of  claim 8  wherein the axis about which the applicator rotates is height-adjustable. 
     
     
         13 . The extracorporeal pressure shock wave device of  claim 9  wherein the hinge is coupled to a vertical portion of the external frame. 
     
     
         14 . A method for treating a plurality of blood vessels or lumen in a human or animal body at different depths within the body comprising applying pressure shock waves from the extracorporeal shock wave device of  claim 1  to the plurality of bloods vessels or lumen the human or animal body. 
     
     
         15 . A method for treating a plurality of blood vessels or lumen in a human or animal body at different depths within the body comprising applying pressure shock waves from the extracorporeal shock wave device of  claim 2  to the plurality of bloods vessels or lumen the human or animal body. 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating a plurality of blood vessels or lumen in a human or animal body at different depths within the body comprising applying pressure shock waves from the extracorporeal shock wave device of  claim 4  to the plurality of bloods vessels or lumen the human or animal body. 
     
     
         17 . A method for treating a plurality of subcutaneous tissue layers in a human or animal body at different depths within the body comprising applying pressure shock waves from the extracorporeal shock wave device of  claim 8  to the plurality of subcutaneous tissue layers of the human or animal body. 
     
     
         18 . A method for treating a plurality of subcutaneous tissue layers in a human or animal body at different depths within the body comprising applying pressure shock waves from the extracorporeal shock wave device of  claim 10  to the plurality of subcutaneous tissue layers of the human or animal body. 
     
     
         19 . A method for treating a plurality of subcutaneous tissue layers in a human or animal body at different depths within the body comprising applying pressure shock waves from the extracorporeal shock wave device of  claim 12  to the plurality of subcutaneous tissue layers of the human or animal body. 
     
     
         20 . A method for treating a wound in a human or animal body at different depths within the body comprising applying pressure shock waves from the extracorporeal shock wave device of  claim 8  to the wound of the human or animal body.